Dr. Samuel Betances speaks at the Forrestal Lecture Feb. 5. USNA photo by Gin Kai.

‘‘If we are normal,” shouted the mixed crowd of uniformed Midshipmen and university students, rattling the arena’s bleachers, ‘‘we are likely to have unbalanced views of each other!”

On any other night such a statement might have raised eyebrows, but as part of the 24th annual Naval Academy Leadership Conference keynote speech by Dr. Samuel Betances, it raised a unified crowd to their feet.

The U.S. Naval Academy hosted nearly 200 student leaders and faculty from around the country from Feb. 3-6, making this the largest and most successful conference yet. The theme of ‘‘Leadership Beyond Boundaries” prompted students from 30 different schools to engage issues of cultural, social, and intellectual diversity.

‘‘The leadership conference was a great experience and broadened my understanding of diversity in leadership,” said Harvard University NROTC Midn. Shawna Sinnott.

Betances’ rousing remarks were part of a larger curriculum of featured speakers, expert panels and student workshops, all addressing leadership and diversity issues important to 21st century leaders, military and civilian alike. Other presenters of note included astronaut and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, American Red Cross CEO and retired Rear Adm. Marsha Evans, and Byron Marchant, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Black Entertainment Television, Inc.

‘‘My most meaningful interaction was talking with Midshipmen from the Academy. I learned so much about myself just talking to them,” said University of Texas student Jackie Johnson.

Penn State University student Dan Oechsner was impressed with personalities featured at the conference. ‘‘The speakers and panels were excellent and every individual in attendance was of the highest caliber.”

The leadership conference is the result of a combined gift from the Naval Academy Class of 1938 and the Hart Foundation, and the work of the dedicated Midshipmen staff. This year’s conference was chaired by Midn. 1⁄C Evan Barnes and supported by Vice Chair Midn. 1⁄C Lauren Griebel, Operations Officer Midn. 1⁄C Kristen Lowd, Logistics Officer Midn. 1⁄C Derrick Bruce, Communications Officer Midn. 1⁄C Jared Shullick, and Curriculum Officer Midn. 1⁄C Tyson Meadors.